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After falling short a year ago, the United Way of Central Ohio is set to announce that it will
meet — and exceed — its $51.8 million campaign goal.

Results won’t be officially tallied and released until the agency’s annual celebration next
week.

But campaign details were revealed yesterday when the board of trustees voted on the final 2014
spending plan, which is based on campaign results. In previous years, the United Way has waited
until after the celebration to wrap up its budget documents.

“We feel very good about where we are,” said Deanna Stewart, a senior vice president who heads
fundraising strategy for the United Way.

The final 2014 spending plan approved yesterday shows a 2013 campaign total of $52.7 million, up
from $51.2 million the previous year. That 2012 campaign fell short of its goal of $52.55 million,
so trustees had set a slightly more-modest goal for 2013.

The president of Columbia Gas of Ohio, Jack Partridge, and his wife, Anne, were co-chairs of the
campaign, which was built on raising awareness about poverty.

After deducting uncollectible pledges and pledges that donors designate or pay directly to
charities, the United Way was left with $26.9 million to award to local programs and special
initiatives. That’s up about 4.2 percent over 2013.

The 2014 spending plan also sets funding for member-agency programs during the second half of
the year. Grants to 151 programs will remain at the same level as they were during the first six
months of the year, officials said, for a total of about $7.9 million from July through
December.

“We are keeping our word,” said Janet Jackson, the United Way’s president and CEO. “It’s flat
funding. There’s no decrease.”

Total member-agency program funding for 2014 is about $15.8 million, down 7.9 percent from the
previous year. That reduction was planned and previously announced.

Officials said the local United Way, like others nationwide, continues to struggle to increase
the amount of money that donors send to its general community fund. About $16 million of the
current campaign total reflects pledges that are designated to specific agencies or are paid
directly to agencies through other processors.